Hello everyone, I have a '05 MCS (R53) with a WMW 15% pulley and colder plugs. My question is; I have been changing my own supercharger belt, and lately I see some people are replacing the belt tensioner assy. at the same time, do I need to do this also. The tensioner was replaced about 9 yrs. ago and has seen a additional 24k miles since that install.


THX

Keith

 

I'm of the school of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Do you have any reason to believe that it's not performing normally?

 

No I don't see or hear any problems with the belt tensioner, I think its just a ploy by MINI suppliers to get you thinking that you need that extra peace of mind when replacing the belt and it also benefits there sales. In the factory manual there's no reference to replacing the tensioner when you replace the belt.

 

I have had the 05 since new. I’ve done a belt every 5 years - last in 2021. I replaced the tensioner twice - they used to barf the gas strut that helped with dampening movement. They are like $90 - not crazy $. I’m at that point in life that if the part is less than the cost of the flatbed ride home, I replace it.

 

I keep one in spare, car has only 70K but having one let go with the spring or bearing seizing could in theory be a pretty big day ruiner. All the more important to check it on the regular, along with the idler, AC, and alternator pulleys. Hopefully the most likely of them all to fail - the crank pulley - has already been replaced with an ATI or SFI/PRW.

Replaced that gas strut once, thankfully they now sell it separately. One of the few movements in the right direction aftermarket suppliers have made with these cars.

 

I have to agree in part with most of the aforementioned logic.

I am somewhat in the in the "Daft" camp = i.e:: I keep quite a few "known to fail" spare parts in my Mini. Although, I have yet to add a spare tensioner...but will soon.
As stated above; New tensioner assemblies have gone up in price but well worth the insurance.
Also mentioned above We are fortunate enough to have available to us as a standalone replacement part. The damper itself has failed me 2wice in 19years of ownership.
I also think it is prudent to change out/upgrade the OEM harmonic balancer for a gel/fluid filled one - like the PRW.
One last thing: Before you thread the new belt; take a moment to give the idler pulley a spin. Again; I've had 3 detonate on me = Once under warranty, the second cost me a tow and $600 repair at a indie Mini garage, now ,having been the wiser; the third; I replaced myself
at a cost of $35 + 1hour of my time. A lot "cheaper than a flatbed".